Maerdy Mountain Road will close this summer to undertake the third phase of significant work, rectifying scour damage at a section of the slope below the highway – to ensure the road is safe and available for motorists into the future.
The A4233, between Graig Place in Aberdare and Station Road in Maerdy, will close from Monday, July 4 to Monday, September 5, with preparations taking place on site a week earlier from June 27. As an alternative route, motorists should proceed via the A4233, route A4058 to Pontypridd, the A470, and route A4059 to Aberdare – or follow this route in reverse order.
#Maerdy Mountain Road will close this summer to undertake the third phase of significant work, rectifying damage to a section of the slope below the highway. Full details: https://t.co/ZKogGb4xMA
The work will ensure the road is safe and available for motorists into the future: pic.twitter.com/5xEcX0AE5N
— RCT Council (@RCTCouncil) June 20, 2022
This summer’s work is the latest within the Council’s significant maintenance programme to future-proof the mountain route, which was damaged by Storm Dennis. While the Council understands that this work is disruptive, it is the difference between the road being open into the future and it being closed indefinitely.
This summer’s work includes anchoring the slope below the highway as well as installing a surface retaining structure – at the hairpins on the Aberdare side of the route. This will rectify significant scour damage which is clearly visible on the hillside. The roadside vehicle barrier will need to be removed for this work, with specialist systems to access the slope being utilised.
The barrier removal and physical constraints on site mean the work cannot be completed while the road remains open under traffic management. Work also cannot take place overnight due to difficult access conditions. The work is scheduled for the summer as there is likely to be less traffic using the road, and to minimise disruption to the school autumn term starting in September.
The Council is currently finalising its alternative bus arrangements for the work period – and will communicate these to residents when they are confirmed.
